Description
Mercedes 190 SL 1961
Silver grey DB 180/ red leather interior
Hard top silver grey / burgundy hood
Chassis 121040-10-022186
Engine 121921-10-014498
Origin France: Royal Élysées
Full restoration at FM Classicos between 2014 and 2016
Iconic roadster from the German marque from 1955 to 1963, the 190 SL still captivates just as much! And for good reason it borrows many elements from the 300 SL known as the “Papillon”, regarded as an automotive masterpiece.
Driving comfort, elegance and practicality make it today a reference in classic cars.
Under the bonnet, a home-built four-cylinder engine fed by two Solex 44 PHH carburettors developing 105 hp, making the 190SL a good traveller.
Focus more on elegance and refinement than pure performance.
Delivered new on 01/ 08/ 1961 by the famous distributor Royal-Elysees in Paris, this example underwent an incredible restoration that today makes it one of the prettiest models on the market.
It was also exhibited, by the restorer FM Classicos and by the Mercedes 190 SL Club at Retromobile.
The vice-president of the Club, one of the model’s best experts in France who had also grown passionate about this vehicle, helped greatly to its near-concours presentation, supervising post-purchase works with the current owner.
And that is how it is a benchmark on the market.
Its asset? A high-quality restoration that pays homage to one of the marque’s models from the 60s.
For two years, it benefited from a complete overhaul of the sheet metal and chassis, paint, full upholstery and electrical work. The engine, meanwhile, was inspected and checked in 2016, having been rebuilt by the previous owner beforehand. A complete photo file is available for viewing.
Since then, its owner has looked after it as it should and some things have been reviewed and improved:
- complete refurbishment of the carburation system by B2H in 2018
- refurbishment of the braking circuit in 2019
- major overhaul, wheel cylinders, ignition timing and carburation at Étoiles collection in 2020
- routine maintenance and oil change in 2024
An inspection was carried out with compression tests to confirm the mechanical health of the components.
Today the car presents in a state close to its 1961 factory condition! The bodywork is of very high quality with no defects. The hood as well. The red upholstery is of rare elegance. The instrumentation is functional. On the engine side, the meticulous restoration and adjustment of the original Solex carburettors was carried out professionally so that no adjustment has been necessary for years, the owner having thus preserved the model from the Weber set-up, more thirsty and not original. A sacrilege to true connoisseurs! It is thanks to the Club 190 SL’s expert knowledge that this car meets all its standards.
For enthusiasts of authentic vehicles, automotive travellers or sixties nostalgics, this example is for you.
Let us not forget to note that only 26, 000 units were produced and nearly half are still on the road. A choice indeed but not unlimited!
Visible by appointment only
Grey card collection (translated as classic registration)
Restoration photo file
Expert appraisal
Hard top
